The Immigration Legal Defense Fund of the T.C. Immigrant Rights Coalition (TCIRC) is a community project of the TCIRC and its Rapid Response Network Working Group to help local immigrants who cannot afford bond and legal costs associated with their immigration detention process. Find out more here.

TCIRC supports the development of immigrant-led organizing, advocacy and services in Tompkins County. To get involved, contact us online or call a member of our steering committee: Carlos Gutierrez (607 277-8699); Patricia Rodriguez (607 339-1372); Ute Ritz-Deutch (607 351-8033).

TCIRC History/Mission/Goals

The Tompkins County Immigrant Rights Coalition was first established in 2005 to support immigrants in the community and, at a later time, to advocate for comprehensive immigration reform at a federal level.

In 2016, TCIRC was reinvigorated to advocate for, support and empower people who are vulnerable under the immigration system on personal, institutional and systemic levels. In 2017, the TCIRC became a member of the New York Immigration Coalition, and the Tompkins County Workers’ Center became our fiscal sponsor.

We support the development of immigrant-led organizing, advocacy and services in Tompkins County and neighboring counties. We also intend to build community, sustain relationships and work with organizations that are responsive to the needs and concerns of immigrants as individuals, families and communities. Our Steering Committee brings together volunteers (no more than 20) from diverse backgrounds and multiple affiliations. Members of TCIRC are active in community projects, such as the Tompkins County Rapid Response Network for Immigrants.

Our goals are to:

--work closely with immigrants in our community to assess their needs and develop strategies to address their concerns;

--provide leadership training and resources for migrant communities and non-citizens to advocate for themselves in work places, schools and social service organizations;

--educate noncitizens about their rights, how to prepare for possible arrests and detentions. and how to navigate the detention and deportation systems;

--bring awareness to the broader public about the effects of immigration policy among non-citizen communities;

-identify (and share about) trustworthy, accessible legal representation for non-citizens who are facing legal proceedings in immigration and criminal courts, detained, and facing other types of abuses (labor, landlord, etc.), which are exacerbated by their immigration status;

-- to work in and build coalitions with vulnerable individuals and groups, and work together with other organizations doing work in immigrant rights issues;

-develop informed community support for detained migrants and non-citizens who are arrested, detained and in court;

-educate our community about how U.S. domestic and foreign policies are contributing to the roots of migration; and​-facilitate the formation of organizational spaces, trusting relationships and social/cultural forums among a wide network of individuals and groups affected by the immigration system. ​